Blessed to be a Blessing

The things I learned in Haiti are endless. It is so difficult for me to explain this trip, but the tangible lessons I learned I hope are evident in my life after Haiti. One thing I learned is that I can do more. This means I have to pick the most important areas in my life and totally focus on those, but in those areas, I can do more. I am having to give up some things to make this happen, and this has been no easy task. Many of these things I'm still praying about, but last night my friend Jillian and I were able to begin a new project together.

Blessings bags. I got the idea here, and we decided this was a way we could help. The idea behind them is to keep them in your car and pass them out when you see someone in need. This allows you to help without giving actual money. Now that we have done it once, we have already seen better ways to go about it. We should have started at the Dollar Tree for instance. You can get big deodorants and normal toothpastes for the same price we got the minis.
Here's what we put in ours...
Toothbrush
Toothpaste

Mouthwash (non-alcoholic please)
Wet-wipes
Tissues
First-aid kit (97 cents at Walmart)
Deodorant
Peanut butter crackers

Granola bar

Encouraging note/Bible verse

Other items you can include...
Comb/brush

Apple sauce

Juice box

Socks

Gloves

Gum/mints

Chapstick

Giftcards for food or Walmart

Soap

Shampoo/Conditioner

Small blanket

We loved doing this. The lady who checked us out at Walmart was shocked we were doing it. It seemed to blow her mind that two people would seek to help in this way. To me, this is such a small task though. In social work, we learn how many people are in total survival mode. This means, they live day-to-day, moment-to-moment. There is no room to think about tomorrow or a year from now or eternity. The purpose of the bags is to eliminate a few of these needs in order for them to just think...and hopefully think about love, hope, and Jesus. Things everyone should have the time to think about, but many or not given the chance.

Speaking of, today is Good Friday. Go make time to think about that.

"Home" I Guess

I have reluctantly returned. I've spent the entirety of my spring break in Port-de-Paix, Haiti on my second trip there. I'm at a loss for words on how to describe it to you. Jesus taught my heart so very much...and one is that He provides. He doesn't need me. I need Him. He does great works and glorifies His name without my pathetic help. As much as I love the kids there, He loves them more. When I am not there to love them, He is. When I'm not there to take care of them, He will be. And He did.

I love working at Sonlight Academy. Essentially, this is the purpose of our trip. We go to Port-de-Paix to work in a school which was started by the family of my leader's best friend. She visits every year and brings a group from her church and other misfits like myself to tag along. We work in the classrooms and school doing whatever they ask us to do. This school and faculty are absolutely incredible, but my heart for Haiti is different. My heart is in the streets. I have a passion to love on the people outside the school, which includes a large group of boys who have stolen my heart. One in particular, is Ben. His real name is Bienel and when I first met him two years ago, he was 9 years old. I have never felt like more of a mom then when that kid was by my side--which was all the time. We were inseparable. He would wait outside for me for hours on end. When we were together, we were either playing a game or he was resting against me. He was always touching me in some way. He craved love all the time. Craved for someone to take care of him. It is something he has never experienced before, and though we could not speak the same language, our hearts are made of the same thing. When I returned this year, I was confident I would not see him. Being a street kid, I thought he would either be dead or would have moved. For two years, I thought of him and my other street friends every day. My kids. Woodsonley, Louvensky, Jamel, and more.

God provided. When I was doubtful, He reassured me these boys are not mine...they are His. And He loves them infinitely more than I can imagine. He knows the hairs on their heads and is certainly capable of taking care of them. Not only did I see them again this year, but they remembered me. They instantly said, "Miss Krysta" and I knew I was home once again. Here are some pictures of two years ago and what my friends look like now!

The sweet baby I held the entire time at House of Hope two years ago!

Look at the mischief in her eyes! Her two years later as a toddler now!

Sam and her buddy Woodsonley two years ago! He's so little!

The first thing Woodsonley asked this year was, "Miss Krysta! Where's Sam?" Broke my heart to tell him she wasn't able to come back this year. He will continue to wait on her.

Louvensky two years ago! I barely got to know him last time.

This year, Louvensky became my second kid.

This is Ben two years ago when I first met him... this picture has set on my dresser for two years.

And this was us this year. He is forever in my heart.

I am forever changed by these kids.

That last picture was one of the hardest pictures I've ever taken. A few extra kids jumped in the picture, but if you look at our boys (Louvensky, Benji, Jose, Woodsonley, Coocoo, and Ben) they are all crying. This was our last night together and none of us could stop crying. They begged us to come back, and I promised I would. And I will. I don't know how, but God will provide. He will provide the money, the time, and the passion.
After Haiti, my life seems fake. Unreal. Haiti is real. These boys are real. And Jesus seeks to show them love as much as He wants to show you you are loved. But they can't understand His love until they know what love even is. That's my job. Show them love so that I can point them to Him. I will again think about these boys and pray for them until I can return and witness the great work of God.
 Haiti is my home.

A Crazy Week

Well I'm glad to finally be back to blog posting. I don't assume anyone will read this--I can't say I blame them. But this is more for me. I am terrible at journaling, even though I love it, simply because I'm a perfectionist and it takes too long to make my handwriting look how I want it too. So here's my blog. I'll put random, everyday beautiful things; recipes; workouts; devotions; thoughts; pictures; ideas; memories. Whatever is on my brain at the time will end up here. And right now two things are on my brain...
Paper writing and Haiti.
This has in fact been one crazy week. Yesterday I turned in a 20-page paper. Tomorrow I turn in a 2-page paper and a 12-14 page research proposal. Then I leave for my next journey to Haiti that evening. I have yet to pack or even buy all my supplies. Schoolwork has taken over my brain and time this week, but in the end it will be worth it. Which means I should get off this and go write. And write. And write some more.
Please pray for me while I am in Haiti, and when I get back, I'll write about it. I have so many thoughts pent up in my head, the next one could be a long one.

                                                         Love always,
                                                                    Krysta